Shaving brush protective case and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A protective case for a shaving brush, comprising a central hollow tube, open on both ends, configured to fully enclose a shaving brush, and first and second caps removably affixed to opposite ends of the tube is disclosed herein. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to shaving, and more particularly to the safe transportation of shaving brushes often used in wet shaving.

A number of protective case designs and configurations are generally known which provide adequate protection, ventilation, and aesthetic properties. However, conventional designs require the brush to be inserted and removed from the same aperture. If the bristles of the brush are constrained when the brush is in the case, then the transition between constrained and unconstrained states when the brush is inserted or removed has the potential to damage the fragile bristles of the brush. For example, if the brush is inserted bristles-first into the container, any bristles not initially inside the case risk being excluded from the case and bent or broken during insertion. Similarly, the bristles on the edges of the brush, upon insertion, may be subject to such friction from the side walls of the case that they buckle and break. Alternatively, if the brush is to be inserted handle-first, upon removal from the tube the friction between the edge bristles and the side walls of the case may cause the bristles to become bent over backwards and broken.

It would be useful to develop an improved case for a shaving brush.

SUMMARY

One embodiment described herein is a protective case for a shaving brush, comprising a central hollow tube, open on both ends, configured to fully enclose a shaving brush, and two caps removably affixed to opposite ends of the tube.

Also described herein is a method for inserting a shaving brush into a protective case and removing it thereafter. This is accomplished by first obtaining a protective case comprising a hollow tube open on both ends with two caps (a first cap and second cap) which can be removably attached to opposite ends in order to seal the tube. Then, the first cap is removed from the first end of the tube and the shaving brush is inserted axially, handle-first, into the tube until the bottom of the handle is seated against the second cap on the second end of the tube. Next, the first cap is attached to the first end of the tube such that the tube is fully sealed. The second cap is then removed, and the brush is removed axially, handle-first, from the second end of the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a fully assembled case according to an embodiment in which each cap comprises two parts, and each cap top has a protrusion for gripping;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an exploded assembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, wherein the two parts comprising each cap are removably attached to each other;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective exploded view of a cap according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, wherein the cap contains a cylindrical cavity;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective exploded view of a cap according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, wherein the cap contains a rectangular cavity;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a cap top according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a cap top, according to an embodiment that includes a knurled feature for gripping;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective assembly view of a cap and tube according to an embodiment in which the cap contains a cylindrical cavity and has knurled gripping sections on the sides of the top and bottom parts of the cap;

FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of a tube with a brush inserted for reference, according to an embodiment in which the inner wall of the tube is shaped approximately like the shape of a shaving brush, and is wide enough that the bristles of the shaving brush are not constrained when the brush is inserted in the tube;

FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of a tube with a brush inserted for reference, according to an embodiment in which the inner wall of the tube is shaped approximately like the shape of a shaving brush, and is narrow enough that the bristles of the shaving brush are forced together when the brush is inserted in the tube;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an assembled case, according to an embodiment in which each cap comprises two parts and each part of each cap has a knurled section for gripping;

FIG. 11 is a right elevational view of an assembled case, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a left elevational view of an assembled case, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a back elevational view of an assembled case, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a top elevational view of an assembled case, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a bottom elevational view of an assembled case, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the embodiments described herein, a protective case is provided which can hold a shaving brush and potentially a number of other shaving accessories, allowing for convenient organization and transportation without fear of damage. The case allows the brush to be inserted and removed from different apertures, such that the bristles of the brush are never forced apart, reducing the likelihood of damage.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1-2 and 10-15, a substantially rigid case according to the present embodiment is shown and is designated as (10). The case comprises a central tube (12), a first cap (14), and a second cap (16). In embodiments, the first cap comprises a cream container as will be described below. In embodiments, the second cap comprises a blade container, as will be described below. The tube is a thin-walled hollow cylinder which, when bounded by the bottom surface of the first cap (18) and the bottom surface of the second cap (20), comprises the volume in which a shaving brush sits. The wall (19) of the tube may have holes to allow the passage of air for ventilation of a wet or damp brush, and may have features on the surface such as knurling or flats extending over some of the outside surface of the tube to enhance its ability to be gripped. Inner end portions (122), (123) of the inside surface on both ends of the tube that are small relative to the overall length of the tube are threaded (seen most easily in FIG. 8). In embodiments, the threading is right-handed threading. In some embodiments, including the version shown in FIG. 2, the inner wall (27) of the tube (12) is cylindrical. In other embodiments, including that shown in FIG. 8, the inner wall of the tube (112) includes a tapered portion (127) as well as a straight portion (125). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the unthreaded portion of the inside surface of the tube is contoured into a shape approximating the shape of an unconstrained shaving brush (124), both handle (129) and bristles (128), with a straight cylindrical portion (125) at the bottom of the tube (112), corresponding to the brush handle (129), and at the top a conical frustum, defined by a tapered wall (127) with a bottom edge (135) with a diameter equal to the diameter of the straight portion (125), and a top edge (133) having a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter (123) of the unconstrained brush (124). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the top diameter (133) of this frustum is sufficiently large to allow the brush to be held without forcing the bristles together. In embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of the top edge (133) of the frustum to the diameter of the bottom edge (135) of the frustum is between about 3:1 and 1.5:1. In embodiments, the ratio is between about 2:1 and 1.5:1. In embodiments, the ratio is between about 1.75:1 and 1.5:1 In embodiments, as best seen in FIG. 8, the inside of the tube (112) has an adequate step (126) in it to allow for full seating of both the first and second caps inside the tube.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, a smaller diameter tube (212) is used, and the bristles (228) of the brush (224) are constrained by the tapered wall (227) of the tube (212). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the larger diameter of the conical frustum is significantly (at least about 20%) smaller than the diameter formed by the tips of the brush's unconstrained bristles, (but at least as large as the diameter of the straight section corresponding to the brush's handle), such that the bristles of the brush are forced together when the brush is inserted in the tube. It is generally preferable to constrain the bristles of the brush, as this will help prevent damage due to movement of the bristles or brush relative to the inner wall of the case. This embodiment also allows for the outer diameter of the tube to be smaller than in the embodiment which does not constrain the bristles, meaning that the entire apparatus is smaller in size and therefore takes up less space and allows for more efficient packing in a larger container. In embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of the top edge of the frustum (233) to the diameter of the bottom edge of the frustum (235) is between about 1.75:1 and 1:1. In embodiments, it is between about 1.5:1 and 1:1. In embodiments, it is between about 1.25:1 and 1:1.

In embodiments, the first and second caps are each comprised of a single solid piece of material. In embodiments, at least one cap is comprised of two parts which can be removably attached to each other, forming a cavity in between. In this case, the cavity or cavities can be used to store other shaving supplies and accessories, including but not limited to shaving cream and spare razor blades.

When a cap contains a cavity, the cap is comprised of two parts (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), the cap top (28) and cap bottom (30), where the cap top is the component furthest axially from the center of the tube. The cap bottom is a relatively thick-walled cylindrical shell with an enclosing wall on one end (32) and the other end open, with a flange (34) extending beyond the outer diameter of the base cylindrical shell. A portion of the external surface of the cap bottom is threaded (36) to mate with threads (122), (123) on the inside of the tube, and the outer diameter is such that the cap bottom can be threaded snugly into the tube until the bottom surface (38) of the flange (34) contacts the top surface of the tube (40). In embodiments, the external surface of the cap bottom is right-hand threaded. In embodiments, a portion at the top of the inner surface of the side wall (44) of the cap bottom has female threads. In embodiments, the female threads are left-handed. In embodiments, the cap top (28) is a disk with left-hand threading around its circumference (46) and a diameter such that it can be threaded snugly into the cap bottom. The cap top (28) also has a flange (48) at the side furthest from the interface to the cap bottom, of equal diameter to that of the flange on the cap bottom (34). The cap top (28) includes a feature to allow it to be unscrewed from the cap bottom. In embodiments, this feature is a protrusion from the top (50) as shown in FIG. 5. In embodiments, it is a section of knurling (52) as shown in FIG. 6, in which case a similar section of knurling is included on the external face of the flange (48) of the cap bottom (54), shown in FIG. 7.

In embodiments, the cap cavity is a cylindrical space, and a chamfer can be added to the edge (42) formed by the side and bottom walls. These embodiments can be used to store shaving cream or any general accessories or consumables. In embodiments, a cap can be used to store spare razor blades. As is shown in FIG. 4, in these embodiments the cap contains a rectangular cavity (60) of roughly the same aspect ratio as and with dimensions slightly larger than the length and width dimensions of a standard safety razor blade. In embodiments, a variety of sizes and shapes of cavity are formed by the two parts of the cap. In embodiments, each cap top includes a feature such as engraved or embossed symbols in order to easily differentiate between caps.

In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the tube does not include a compartment for a razor handle. On the other hand, if a razor compartment is included, this typically is formed by a cylindrical compartment running parallel to the brush compartment but not intersecting with the brush compartment. In embodiments, the axis of the tube is parallel with the axes of the brush compartment and handle compartment, but not collinear with either.

In embodiments, some or all parts of the case are made of a polymeric material such as a thermoplastic or thermoset, bone or a synthetic material engineered to have an appearance and properties similar to bone, stainless or rust-resistant metal, or treated wood. In embodiments, parts of the case are made of any permutation of the aforementioned materials.

In embodiments, the tube (12) is between about 2 and 7 inches long. In embodiments, the tube is between about 3.5 and 6 inches long. In embodiments, the tube is between about 4 and 5 inches long. In embodiments, the inner diameter of the tube corresponding to the brush handle (25) is between about 0.5 and 3 inches. In embodiments, the inner diameter of the tube corresponding to the brush handle (25) is between about 0.75 and 2 inches. In embodiments, the inner diameter of the tube corresponding to the brush handle (25) is between about 1 and 1.5 inches.

A shaving brush can be inserted into the protective case and removed thereafter, by first obtaining a protective case (of any embodiment described above) comprising a hollow tube open on both ends with two caps (first and second caps) which can be removably attached to opposite ends in order to seal the tube, removing the first cap from the first end of the tube, inserting the shaving brush axially, handle-first, into the tube until the bottom of the handle is seated against the second cap on the second end of the tube, attaching the first cap to the first end of the tube such that the tube is fully sealed, removing the second cap, and removing the brush axially, handle-first, from the second end of the tube.

The protective case described herein is especially appropriate for protecting a shaving brush during travel, or any other situation in which the brush could experience significant jostling, crushing, or other physical interference.

A number of alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective case for a shaving brush, comprising: a central hollow tube, open on both ends, configured to fully enclose a shaving brush, and first and second caps removably affixed to opposite ends of the tube.
 2. A case of the type in claim 1, configured to fit a variety of commercially available shaving brushes.
 3. A case of the type in claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a rigid material such as a polymeric material (such as a thermoplastic or thermoset), bone or a synthetic material engineered to have an appearance and properties similar to bone, stainless or rust-resistant metal, or treated wood.
 4. A case of the type in claim 1, wherein the tube has an outer wall, and contains small holes through the outer wall along some of its surface to allow the passage of air.
 5. A case of the type in claim 1, wherein the tube has an inner contour that more closely follows the shape of a shaving brush.
 6. A case of the type in claim 1, wherein the caps each comprise a single solid piece of suitable material, such as a polymeric material (such as a thermoplastic or thermoset), bone or a synthetic material engineered to have an appearance and properties similar to bone, stainless or rust-resistant metal, or treated wood.
 7. A case of the type described in claim 1, wherein at least one cap comprises two parts removably affixed to each other such that a cavity is formed between the two when assembled.
 8. A case of the type described in claim 7, wherein the cavity of at least one cap is cylindrical in shape.
 9. A case of the type described in claim 7, where the cavity of at least one cap is rectangular in shape, with the length and width of the rectangle slightly larger than the silhouette of a double-edged safety razor blade.
 10. A case of the type described in claim 1, wherein each cap comprises two parts removably affixed to each other such that a cavity is formed between the two parts of each cap when assembled.
 11. A case of the type described in claim 10, wherein the cavity of each cap is cylindrical.
 12. A case of the type described in claim 10, wherein the cavity of one cap is cylindrical and the cavity of the other cap is rectangular in shape, with the length and width of the rectangle slightly larger than the silhouette of a double-edged safety razor blade.
 13. A case of the type described in claim 1, wherein the caps are affixed to the tube by means of a coarse or fine thread mating the outside face of each cap to the inside face of the tube.
 14. A case of the type described in claim 10, using a tube of the type described in claim 13, wherein the two parts comprising each cap are affixed to each other by means of a thread of opposite handedness to that of the threaded interface between each cap and the tube.
 15. A case of the type described in claim 6, wherein the outer side face of at least one cap contains a feature, such as knurling, to grant better grip on the surface.
 16. A case of the type described in claim 7, wherein the outer side faces of both components of each cap contain a feature, such as knurling, to grant better grip on the surface.
 17. A case of the type described in claim 1, wherein the faces of the caps axially furthest from the center of the tube contain markings to allow for distinction between caps.
 18. A case of the type described in claim 1, wherein the case contains a shaving brush in its tube.
 19. A method for inserting a shaving brush into a protective case and removing it thereafter, comprising: obtaining a protective case comprising a hollow tube open on both ends with first and second caps which can be removably attached to opposite ends in order to seal the tube, removing the first cap from the first end of the tube, inserting the shaving brush axially, handle-first, into the tube until the bottom of the handle is seated against the second cap on the second end of the tube, attaching the first cap to the first end of the tube such that the tube is fully sealed, removing the second cap and removing the brush axially, handle-first, from the second end of the tube. 